PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to investigate the stresses of the middle slab in a double-deck tunnel owing to the slab lift to replace the underlying elastic pads during maintenance workMETHODS: The middle slab was divided into three different sections: typical section, expansion joint section, and emergency passageway section. Finite element analysis models of these three sections of middle slab were developed, and the stress distribution and maximum stresses were obtained using the models when the middle slab was lifted to replace the underlying elastic pads. Various slab lifting methods were examined in this study such as one-, two-, and multiple-point lifts, distributed lifts, and one or both slab side edge lifts.RESULTS: When the slab side edge is lifted, the longitudinal stresses of the slab are almost the same as the principal stresses. This implies that the governing stresses are the longitudinal stresses. The maximum stresses with both-edge lifts are generally smaller than those with one-edge lifts at all three sections of middle slab.CONCLUSIONS: If the middle slab in a double-deck tunnel is lifted for maintenance, the slab should be lifted at multiple points along the longitudinal direction to reduce the tensile stresses.

The stresses occurred in the middle slab at the areas of the emergency passageway in a double-deck tunnel are analyzed when the slab is lifted to replace bearing pads placed between the middle slab and supporting bracket as a maintenance process. The middle slab can be lifted at several different points near the emergency passageway areas and the stresses of the middle slab depend on the lifting points. This study presents the effect of the lifting location of the middle slab on the stress occurrence for the maintenance work of replacing bearing pads under the middle slab near the emergency passageway areas.

This study is the measurement for fatigue cracks at U-Rib in the steel deck bridge. Thus, to analyze the causes and reinforcement methods through the measurement results. So the bridge will preserve the safety & usability and want to enhance the durability.